Mini offers a ton of different roof options, if I could go sunroof-less (never would unless I had to), I'd go with the Union Jack or Mini logo, the American flag on the roof of a British car engineered by Germans seems wrong.

Thinking more and more a MINI might make it into my garage...and yes, you'll notice that I didn't list the American flag as an option.

But since Canada and Britain have had closer ties, somehow a Canadian flag doesn't seem wrong.\

Hopefully she didn't get the sport suspension or it will ride a little rough...

The white wheels kick butt, though...

Chris

Nope, no sport suspension. She test drove a Cooper S with the sport suspension and said that she still felt like she was shaking for a few minutes after getting out of the car. I would have done a few things differently, like no Nav and I probably wouldn't have gotten foglights and the driving lights. Seems like a lot of forward lighting that will never be used. Oh well, not my car, mostly not my money.

And yes, I love the idea of white wheels, I dont think I've ever seen one in person with them.

The foglights are nice, I have them on the Miata and use them all of the time.

You will like this car SOOO much better than the Prius. Although they are supposedly bringing out a Prius pickup. Suppose we'll see Camino with one of those in his garage? (Chris ducks for cover...)

Chris

On a completely unrelated subject, if GM had brought the Crewman to the states (it would've fit into GMC's lineup nicely) I would have told her to keep her car and I would have bought one.

What are YOU thinking, though, Satty about a car? The wagon won't last forever, and with a child you'll eventually need a more family type of vehicle.

Chris

Well a Wrangler is now impractical (two tiny, 2-door cars...no thanks) but since my son is almost old enough for a booster (worlds easier than his carseat) and we dont plan on having kids for a while, something along the lines of a larger coupe has some appeal. I've been meaning to take an extended drive in an Accord coupe, and play around in it, see how well it fits me. An 07+ SRX (they're pretty cheap used) would be a pretty nice ride as well. It shouldn't be something I have to worry about for a year or so.

I'll make the wagon run forever, I will buy another car sometime, but I plan on keeping the wagon, even if it needs a new engine/transmission.

Edit: The more I think about it, the more I think about having to look hard into a Genesis coupe and Camaro convertible. Or just make a complete swerve and find a 4-door M3. Or do what my friend did and get a Maxima. Ugggg...I cant think about this right now, too many other things to take care of first.

Edited December 2, 200816 yr by Satty

Thinking more and more a MINI might make it into my garage...and yes, you'll notice that I didn't list the American flag as an option.

But since Canada and Britain have had closer ties, somehow a Canadian flag doesn't seem wrong.\

Hopefully she didn't get the sport suspension or it will ride a little rough...

The white wheels kick butt, though...

Chris

A buddy of mine in Denver who is Canadian (part of the Regina crew) had a Canadian flag painted on the roof of his white Suburban..

I'd like a Scottish flag or Irish flag, to recognise my family roots in those countries... or a Yorkshire flag or Australian flag for my dogs..

Well a Wrangler is now impractical (two tiny, 2-door cars...no thanks) but since my son is almost old enough for a booster (worlds easier than his carseat) and we dont plan on having kids for a while, something along the lines of a larger coupe has some appeal. I've been meaning to take an extended drive in an Accord coupe, and play around in it, see how well it fits me. An 07+ SRX (they're pretty cheap used) would be a pretty nice ride as well. It shouldn't be something I have to worry about for a year or so.

I'll make the wagon run forever, I will buy another car sometime, but I plan on keeping the wagon, even if it needs a new engine/transmission.

Edit: The more I think about it, the more I think about having to look hard into a Genesis coupe and Camaro convertible. Or just make a complete swerve and find a 4-door M3. Or do what my friend did and get a Maxima. Ugggg...I cant think about this right now, too many other things to take care of first.

How about them Caddy CTS wagons which will start off production soon? Genesis coupe is appealing, what would be your engine choice on it, a V-6 or I-4T?

Wow Maxima, speechless.... However, Ven will jump over that idea.

Well, the Wrangler is available in a 4dr...

Speaking of interesting car choices, friends of mine that had an '04 Accord and a '97 Corolla for years had twins early this year...they bought a new Wrangler 4dr for a family car for the wife (she likes Jeeps and it's a manual), an '05 Mustang GT convertible as a family fun car, and an '02 DTS for a family commuter car (it was my friends Dad's car, he bought a new DTS and sold his old one to his son).

Test drove a 4-door Wrangler last year. I'll sum it up with one word-No.

The Maxima is one hell of a ride, I'm just not sure I want to put that kind of coin into a car, same with a CTS wagon. One $30k+ car in the garage is enough for me.

I would agree...and I'm not really down with the new Wrangler, either.

Chris

I would agree...and I'm not really down with the new Wrangler, either.

Chris

I wouldn't buy one either but that's because it's more or less not my bag.

I would agree...and I'm not really down with the new Wrangler, either.

Chris

The Wrangler is too raw for a daily driver for me, the Grand Cherokee makes a much nicer daily driver SUV. I have thought about a used Wrangler Rubicon as a summer weekend and off-roading toy, though.

Congrats on the new Mini, Satty you will like it. Does this mean no more Prius? Von I would go with that silver GP over that G6 anyday, sorry I love the chrome wheels and 3800 with silver.

The Prius will be gone as soon as the Mini comes in, which is looking like late January at the earliest. The dealer she ordered through gave us a great trade-in number on the Prius, as long as they hold to it, I'll be happy.

The Prius will be gone as soon as the Mini comes in, which is looking like late January at the earliest. The dealer she ordered through gave us a great trade-in number on the Prius, as long as they hold to it, I'll be happy.

Major step up!

Just don't let Walt know. :AH-HA_wink:

We're planning on taking a road trip to D.C. next summer, we can make a quick jaunt up to Jersey to let him bask in its glory.

I'm not sure how a long road trip in such a tiny car will work.

If the Wrangler 4dr was available with the now defunct

but decades-old tried-n-tested, venerable inline-6 it

would be my favorite 4x4 on the market today.

I remember drawing 4-door fixed roof Wranglers with

CJ styling back in high school study hall back in like

1993/1994, always KNEW there'd be a market.

They had it, just didn't build it. Jerks.

They had it, just didn't build it. Jerks.

Agreed!

Infinitely nicer than that ill-proportioned turd they sell today.

The Dakar would have been so cool..it would been better than the Liberty.

The Wrangler is too raw for a daily driver for me, the Grand Cherokee makes a much nicer daily driver SUV. I have thought about a used Wrangler Rubicon as a summer weekend and off-roading toy, though.

+1 on the Wrangler Rubicon...would be a great summer toy...

My brother in law just bought my sister a prev. gen Wrangler six speed. She loves putting the top down and hauling my neice and nephew around.

Chris

Agreed!

Infinitely nicer than that ill-proportioned turd they sell today.

+1

Chris

We're planning on taking a road trip to D.C. next summer, we can make a quick jaunt up to Jersey to let him bask in its glory.

I'm not sure how a long road trip in such a tiny car will work.

Since your traveling with a female, let me give you a hint. She will pack less and the trip will be more fun.

I have a wife and three daughters, also have had two teenage girls as exchange students. Ask me how I know about females and packing.

You may yet trade the MINI in on an Ariel Atom, Lotus Catherham 7, or Meyers Manx dune buggy once you see how much less she can pack...

Chris

Edited December 3, 200816 yr by 66Stang

They had it, just didn't build it. Jerks.

:sign0200:

The Wrangler is my cup 'o tea, but having two cars with no room for more than 2 real people or stuff isn't practical. There are times when the extra space is necessary, and the wagon isn't really cut out for wining and dining.

Congrats on the MINI.

Top three possibilities for our next purchase:

1.) replace Roadmonster with 1960s hardtop, esp. a Pontiac, Cadillac or Oldsmobile. (Julie keeps the MB 500SEC)

2.) replace Roadmonster w/ KdF, & I mean a REAL air-cooled 1960s example, glass headlight covers, mini rear window... (Julie keeps the MB 500SEC)

3.) buy BMW/Mercedes station wagon for Julie, I take the MB 500SEC for myself.

Since your traveling with a female, let me give you a hint. She will pack less and the trip will be more fun.

I'll give you a little insight into the mind of the woman I love. Last Saturday, after leaving Kansas City, my friend and I met his wife and Jill for a quick dinner then a little time at the casino. Jill wore one set of clothes for the car ride, changed clothes for dinner, then changed again for gambling. Its gotten to the point where I just sigh and go on.

Beige. It's a way of life.

I am actually in the process right now. My Equinox lease comes up in March and GM must be really hard up for money. I was going to maybe get an Impala in the future. I took the Equinox in for an oil change and started talking to my salesguy and he meantoned that GM is doing early lease takebacks. Lets just say that I got the deal of a lifetime on a leftover 2008 Impala. So I will likely have an Impala VERY soon.

I am actually in the process right now. My Equinox lease comes up in March and GM must be really hard up for money. I was going to maybe get an Impala in the future. I took the Equinox in for an oil change and started talking to my salesguy and he meantoned that GM is doing early lease takebacks. Lets just say that I got the deal of a lifetime on a leftover 2008 Impala. So I will likely have an Impala VERY soon.

Is that what you really wanted? What specs?

I've already been thinking about my lease end in, oh, 3 years from after a few days. I just wonder what, in those 3 years, will be the practice surrounding leases for those of us who got one before they were no more, when it comes to turn in, etc.

Congrats on the MINI.

Top three possibilities for our next purchase:

1.) replace Roadmonster with 1960s hardtop, esp. a Pontiac, Cadillac or Oldsmobile. (Julie keeps the MB 500SEC)

2.) replace Roadmonster w/ KdF, & I mean a REAL air-cooled 1960s example, glass headlight covers, mini rear window... (Julie keeps the MB 500SEC)

3.) buy BMW/Mercedes station wagon for Julie, I take the MB 500SEC for myself.

I like option #3 myself.

Chris

Congrats on the MINI.

Top three possibilities for our next purchase:

1.) replace Roadmonster with 1960s hardtop, esp. a Pontiac, Cadillac or Oldsmobile. (Julie keeps the MB 500SEC)

2.) replace Roadmonster w/ KdF, & I mean a REAL air-cooled 1960s example, glass headlight covers, mini rear window... (Julie keeps the MB 500SEC)

3.) buy BMW/Mercedes station wagon for Julie, I take the MB 500SEC for myself.

I like option #3 myself.

Chris

Got the details of what she ordered:

2009 Cooper

6-Speed manual

16" white wheels

Lightning Blue/White roof/mirrors (when push came to shove, she just couldn't do yellow )

Black leather/JCW Carbon Fiber dash/shift knob

10-speaker sound

Premium Package (sunroof/auto AC/leather steering wheel)

Cold Weather (heated seats/mirrors/washer jets)

Convenience Plus (rain sensing wiper/auto-dim mirror/armrest/iPod connection/garage door opener)

Traction Control

Xenon headlights/fog lights

Navigation (no, I dont know why)

Driving lights (YAY!)

Checkerboard sunroof graphic

JC WHITNEY?

John Cooper Works

Carbon Fiber > piano black > wood >dull gray plastic pretending to be brushed aluminum

(yes, thats another reason the Mini > Astra)

Edited December 4, 200816 yr by Satty

GM should have the whole Astra linup here in the states...that would be cool...some cool variants of that.

Chris

A classic colour combination for the Mini would be British Racing Green/white roof/wood dash. I also ADORE the brown/silver roof Clubman with brown leather. I wish the brown were available on the regular Mini.

I'm just glad it isn't available in purple anymore, because that would have been the color without a second thought.

And I like the brown on the Clubman too, I just dont like either option for the roof/rear trim with it.

The purple color is hot...I've seen a few of the Purple turned into SCCA racecars, and I almost cringe at the thought of someone wrecking a purple one on track.

If I find one used at a good price in Purple, I'm selling my house!

Chris

Before I die I'm going to own a British racing green car. We have three Miatas in the buckeye Miata Club that are BRG (91 Special Edition).

I would prefer an original Lotus Elan, Caterham 7, or MG-TC in BRG...But I'd take a MINI or Miata gladly.

(BRG was not available orig. on the TC, BTW)

Chris

...and YES to a wood dash car...I love it in the 60's GTO's, I love it in old British sports cars, and the MINI wood dash is as close to real as any simulated wood has gotten.

Chris

...and YES to a wood dash car...I love it in the 60's GTO's, I love it in old British sports cars, and the MINI wood dash is as close to real as any simulated wood has gotten.

Chris

The one in my Jag is at least 1/2" thick - in good shape too.

Wood is just so...traditional, and a blue Mini with a 10 speaker sound system and navigation isn't traditional.

The Prius will be gone as soon as the Mini comes in, which is looking like late January at the earliest. The dealer she ordered through gave us a great trade-in number on the Prius, as long as they hold to it, I'll be happy.

Thanks for the information. I am very glad you choice the features you did, I think you folks will love the Mini. You are getting a huge upgrade going from a Prius to a Mini that is a BIG deal. I knew someone who had a Cooper with a stick and loved it with the checkered roof but he traded on a GTI a few months ago.

Edited December 4, 200816 yr by gm4life

They had it, just didn't build it. Jerks.

Meh, I actually prefer the Unlimited.

I like the Unlimited, though I think a fixed roof version could have done well also. I do wish they had updated and kept the straight 6, V6s are so pedestrian.

I agree with you Moltar I like the new one better but the two door Rubicon is more my speed. Also the I-6's were sweet.

I've already been thinking about my lease end in, oh, 3 years from after a few days. I just wonder what, in those 3 years, will be the practice surrounding leases for those of us who got one before they were no more, when it comes to turn in, etc.

I'm wondering the same thing... but I have about 11 months to go before the "official" lease turn-in date is reached with my AURA.

Is that what you really wanted? What specs?

Its an LS. Imperial blue with the black interior and woodgrain dash. I was dithering between a HHR and the Impala. More towards the Impala so this worked out in my favor. It has everything I want. It doesnt have ABS or Traction control but that doesnt bother me at all. It worked very well in the 4 inches of snow we had today.

I've already been thinking about my lease end in, oh, 3 years from after a few days. I just wonder what, in those 3 years, will be the practice surrounding leases for those of us who got one before they were no more, when it comes to turn in, etc.